Open My Eyes Lord
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Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Jan - Feb 2010 Newsletter
First Congregational Church
January and February 2010
Greetings
As I write this we are approaching Christmas and the New Year. We are busy with the seasonal activities and sometimes we forget to take time to meditate. We are aware that for many of us, we look forward to the New Year but for others there may be uncertainty of what the New Year may bring. I remember going through that when my daughter was ill in 1993 and 1994. It was New Years Eve 1993 when my daughter lay in a hospital room, she had been on dialysis since September and had been hospitalized several times since then. She now was lying in the hospital with blood pressures of 210/130, and she was only 13 yrs old. They had on 5 different medications and they were unable to bring it down. I remember feeling overwhelmed by all that was happening and feeling afraid for what we still had to face. I know at times many of you have had to face those days, some of you are facing those days today and if you are you need to know that you are not alone. Christmas was about Christ coming to the world to give light to a dark world. That light still shines today. The Holy Spirit works today, not only through prayer and meditation but also by working through other Christians. Darkness does not just come to our lives through illness or death, but also comes with other issues in our lives. Through marital problems, job loss or difficulties, conflicts between people and money problems or any other things. If you are in need of someone to confidentially share your concerns with, please contact me. I may not know you have a concern, so please let me know. Here is hoping that your New Year is Bright and full of Christ’s Hope.
Pastor Marcy
THANKSGIVING DINNER
This past Thanksgiving the Hebron church embarked on a new project. We decided to serve Thanksgiving Dinner for anyone in the community who did not have a place to go, or just decided to enjoy dinner in the company of the members of the church. It was put on entirely by donations, with no cost to the church and was a great success. Members of Church prepared and served the meal. A free will donation was received of more than $500. The donations were given to the Hebron/Glen Ullin Salvation Army, and the Community Youth Ministry. We thank all those who made donations of money, food, and time.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS FOOD SALE
On December 5th the Guiding Light had their annual Christmas bake sale. They sold many bake goods along with have a noon meal of chili burgers, potatoes salad and desserts. It was determined that this event has been held for over 50 years. The sale made greater than $1100. Proceeds go for donations made to several entities including the Charles Hall Youth Services, Anne Carlson Home, Ruth Meyers Home and others and for things needed for the church. In the past they donated to the basement fund, and paid for the new stove at the parsonage. They also furnish the Upper Room Devotional and the phone bill for the church.
SOMETHING NEW!!!!!
Here is something for you internet users. If you would like to keep up with some news from the church with photos, check out this site on the internet http://firstcongregationalhebron.blogspot.com. Even though the link only has Hebron on it, I have Glen Ullin on here as well; I felt that having both on the link was getting too long and hard to remember. This is free; I will post messages, daily devotions and fun stuff more regularly. I will also post pictures without names. If you do not want me to post your picture or any of your family let me know. Book mark this page to favorites and then check in daily. If really interested you may also sign up with an account, then you can write comments on a blog about events. I would like to post pictures of the Thanksgiving Dinner, Bible school, Baptism and other events. Right now it is available to everyone looking for it. There is an option to make it private for only our organization. This is still a work in progress. Let me know what you think.
GLEN ULLIN CELEBRATES 125 YEARS
Last August the Glen Ullin Church celebrated their 125th Anniversary. They Celebrated by having a special worship service at 9 am and a Service of Music at 2 pm. Close to 100 people were in attendance. The theme of the anniversary celebration was Traveling Memories.
STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Four legs of a stool - For a church to survive it counts on 4 legs for financial support. If any leg does not exist the stool cannot stand. So the church will not survive. The Four legs are weekly offering, capital fund drives, donations/annual membership and bequests. The weekly offering is self explanatory, capital fund drives are used for special projects like the basement floor and bathroom remodeling. Other donations include any other donations from members and former members. Bequests are the gifts received upon the death of a person.
Both of our churches currently have membership fees. We are aware is that most churches do not have a membership fee and rely only on faith giving. A problem with that is that many members give little to nothing. This membership fee is considered a minimal donation to the church, but this by no means meets all the needs of the church. There are basic expenses needing to be met, like heat, building upkeep, water, electricity, etc and then pastoral support. The budget is usually averages around 28,000 dollars each year. You can see that the annual membership fee will not cover all that. In the coming newsletters I will cover more on how to put the church in your will. Take time now to think about your growing up years. Many of you were brought up in these churches and the church education you received was the foundation of your faith formations. What was that worth to you? Many people are concerned that a small church will not stay open so they withhold their funds. This is a sure way of ensuring the death of the church. The church needs your support in order to survive. Will you ensure that your church will be here for future generations? Will you leave behind more than an empty pew?
News from Northern Plains Conference
Youth Summer Camp
July 25-29- Camp Wesley, Dazey ND ages 8-16
July 5-10 Regional Youth Event, Billings Montana, ages 13-18; chaperones also needed
Contact Pastor Marcy for flyer
Paul Nixon is coming to Jamestown
Thanks to the North Dakota Conference of Churches’ support Paul Nixon, author of “I Refuse to Serve A Dying Church” and “Finding Jesus on the Metro,” will be coming to Jamestown to host a workshop March 22& 23. The cost of the workshop will be $40 plus lodging, travel and some meals. A block of rooms have been reserved at the Quality Inn where the program will be held. There will also be a banquet Monday evening (the cost of which is covered by registration as will that of a concert by Chuck Suchy following the banquet). Ther egistration form can be found on the Conference Web site. Checks accompanying the form can be made to the
North Dakota Conference of Churches of the Conference Office. (if interested in going contact Pastor Marcy)
Events
Hebron Choir following services
Glen Ullin Sunday School- Mondays at 5 pm starting 1/11 except 1/25- no SS
Hebron Sunday School- Wednesday 3:30 pm starting 1/13
Sunday January 10-Glen Ullin Annual Meeting
Hebron Services at 9 am, and Glen Ullin at 10:30 am Potluck Lunch with Meeting following
No Guiding light meeting in January
Tuesday January 12 – 10 am clergy cluster Dickenson
2 pm GU Women’s Fellowship Carol K. Hostess
Sunday January 17- Contemporary Service Hebron
Hebron Council meeting following services
January 24-26- Clergy Pre-Lenten Retreat/WS in Fargo starting 5 pm on 24th, until 12:00 noon on 26th
Subject Church Vitality
February 9- Clergy Cluster
February 14 Valentines Day – Guiding Light meeting following services. Potluck lunch
February 17- ASH WEDNESDAY
Lenten Services Glen Ullin 7 pm Service every other Wednesday
February 21 – Contemporary service Hebron
Hebron Council Meeting following services
Hebron Community Lenten Services begin 7:00 pm (Where TBA)
February 28 – Hebron Community Lenten Services 7 pm
IF YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE NEWSLETTER BY EMAIL LET ME KNOW=save paper and stamps
Courage is Fear that has said it prayers
January and February 2010
Greetings
As I write this we are approaching Christmas and the New Year. We are busy with the seasonal activities and sometimes we forget to take time to meditate. We are aware that for many of us, we look forward to the New Year but for others there may be uncertainty of what the New Year may bring. I remember going through that when my daughter was ill in 1993 and 1994. It was New Years Eve 1993 when my daughter lay in a hospital room, she had been on dialysis since September and had been hospitalized several times since then. She now was lying in the hospital with blood pressures of 210/130, and she was only 13 yrs old. They had on 5 different medications and they were unable to bring it down. I remember feeling overwhelmed by all that was happening and feeling afraid for what we still had to face. I know at times many of you have had to face those days, some of you are facing those days today and if you are you need to know that you are not alone. Christmas was about Christ coming to the world to give light to a dark world. That light still shines today. The Holy Spirit works today, not only through prayer and meditation but also by working through other Christians. Darkness does not just come to our lives through illness or death, but also comes with other issues in our lives. Through marital problems, job loss or difficulties, conflicts between people and money problems or any other things. If you are in need of someone to confidentially share your concerns with, please contact me. I may not know you have a concern, so please let me know. Here is hoping that your New Year is Bright and full of Christ’s Hope.
Pastor Marcy
THANKSGIVING DINNER
This past Thanksgiving the Hebron church embarked on a new project. We decided to serve Thanksgiving Dinner for anyone in the community who did not have a place to go, or just decided to enjoy dinner in the company of the members of the church. It was put on entirely by donations, with no cost to the church and was a great success. Members of Church prepared and served the meal. A free will donation was received of more than $500. The donations were given to the Hebron/Glen Ullin Salvation Army, and the Community Youth Ministry. We thank all those who made donations of money, food, and time.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS FOOD SALE
On December 5th the Guiding Light had their annual Christmas bake sale. They sold many bake goods along with have a noon meal of chili burgers, potatoes salad and desserts. It was determined that this event has been held for over 50 years. The sale made greater than $1100. Proceeds go for donations made to several entities including the Charles Hall Youth Services, Anne Carlson Home, Ruth Meyers Home and others and for things needed for the church. In the past they donated to the basement fund, and paid for the new stove at the parsonage. They also furnish the Upper Room Devotional and the phone bill for the church.
SOMETHING NEW!!!!!
Here is something for you internet users. If you would like to keep up with some news from the church with photos, check out this site on the internet http://firstcongregationalhebron.blogspot.com. Even though the link only has Hebron on it, I have Glen Ullin on here as well; I felt that having both on the link was getting too long and hard to remember. This is free; I will post messages, daily devotions and fun stuff more regularly. I will also post pictures without names. If you do not want me to post your picture or any of your family let me know. Book mark this page to favorites and then check in daily. If really interested you may also sign up with an account, then you can write comments on a blog about events. I would like to post pictures of the Thanksgiving Dinner, Bible school, Baptism and other events. Right now it is available to everyone looking for it. There is an option to make it private for only our organization. This is still a work in progress. Let me know what you think.
GLEN ULLIN CELEBRATES 125 YEARS
Last August the Glen Ullin Church celebrated their 125th Anniversary. They Celebrated by having a special worship service at 9 am and a Service of Music at 2 pm. Close to 100 people were in attendance. The theme of the anniversary celebration was Traveling Memories.
STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Four legs of a stool - For a church to survive it counts on 4 legs for financial support. If any leg does not exist the stool cannot stand. So the church will not survive. The Four legs are weekly offering, capital fund drives, donations/annual membership and bequests. The weekly offering is self explanatory, capital fund drives are used for special projects like the basement floor and bathroom remodeling. Other donations include any other donations from members and former members. Bequests are the gifts received upon the death of a person.
Both of our churches currently have membership fees. We are aware is that most churches do not have a membership fee and rely only on faith giving. A problem with that is that many members give little to nothing. This membership fee is considered a minimal donation to the church, but this by no means meets all the needs of the church. There are basic expenses needing to be met, like heat, building upkeep, water, electricity, etc and then pastoral support. The budget is usually averages around 28,000 dollars each year. You can see that the annual membership fee will not cover all that. In the coming newsletters I will cover more on how to put the church in your will. Take time now to think about your growing up years. Many of you were brought up in these churches and the church education you received was the foundation of your faith formations. What was that worth to you? Many people are concerned that a small church will not stay open so they withhold their funds. This is a sure way of ensuring the death of the church. The church needs your support in order to survive. Will you ensure that your church will be here for future generations? Will you leave behind more than an empty pew?
News from Northern Plains Conference
Youth Summer Camp
July 25-29- Camp Wesley, Dazey ND ages 8-16
July 5-10 Regional Youth Event, Billings Montana, ages 13-18; chaperones also needed
Contact Pastor Marcy for flyer
Paul Nixon is coming to Jamestown
Thanks to the North Dakota Conference of Churches’ support Paul Nixon, author of “I Refuse to Serve A Dying Church” and “Finding Jesus on the Metro,” will be coming to Jamestown to host a workshop March 22& 23. The cost of the workshop will be $40 plus lodging, travel and some meals. A block of rooms have been reserved at the Quality Inn where the program will be held. There will also be a banquet Monday evening (the cost of which is covered by registration as will that of a concert by Chuck Suchy following the banquet). Ther egistration form can be found on the Conference Web site. Checks accompanying the form can be made to the
North Dakota Conference of Churches of the Conference Office. (if interested in going contact Pastor Marcy)
Events
Hebron Choir following services
Glen Ullin Sunday School- Mondays at 5 pm starting 1/11 except 1/25- no SS
Hebron Sunday School- Wednesday 3:30 pm starting 1/13
Sunday January 10-Glen Ullin Annual Meeting
Hebron Services at 9 am, and Glen Ullin at 10:30 am Potluck Lunch with Meeting following
No Guiding light meeting in January
Tuesday January 12 – 10 am clergy cluster Dickenson
2 pm GU Women’s Fellowship Carol K. Hostess
Sunday January 17- Contemporary Service Hebron
Hebron Council meeting following services
January 24-26- Clergy Pre-Lenten Retreat/WS in Fargo starting 5 pm on 24th, until 12:00 noon on 26th
Subject Church Vitality
February 9- Clergy Cluster
February 14 Valentines Day – Guiding Light meeting following services. Potluck lunch
February 17- ASH WEDNESDAY
Lenten Services Glen Ullin 7 pm Service every other Wednesday
February 21 – Contemporary service Hebron
Hebron Council Meeting following services
Hebron Community Lenten Services begin 7:00 pm (Where TBA)
February 28 – Hebron Community Lenten Services 7 pm
IF YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE NEWSLETTER BY EMAIL LET ME KNOW=save paper and stamps
Courage is Fear that has said it prayers
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